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Topic: Vac-Sys non t-loc Systainer? (Read 4491 times)

I'll admit it, I ordered this from Amazon and not a FOG dealer. Late night one-click got the best of me, I promise I won't do it again.

I grabbed the pump on an impulse last summer on the recon site (just before the price was dropped) but have never used it. Finally decided Santa could bring me the SE-1 clamping unit 201065 to play with over the holidays. What arrived was an old style systainer with a tool dated 2015.

When I went to see if I somehow goofed I noticed that (1) nowhere does a systainer show on any site advertising the 201065 nor is there any mention of t-loc and (2) all the stock photos of the 495294 vac-sys accessory set show a non t-loc.

My question is whether this is just really old stock or if these items are still being shipped by everyone sans t-loc? Normally I wouldn't care too much since most tools in my shop don't reside in their systainer but in this case I planned to store the clamp in one.

As of 10/17 I am out of the Dog business and pursuing other distractions. Thanks for a fun ride!

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I just retrofitted my Vac Sys set to a T-loc. Easy to do and I sold the old one on FOG as I recall.

For the heads, I did not want the large Systainer due to storage consideration. So here's a thread on how I store the heads in a Sys1 t-loc. Since you have a CNC, it would be easy to make the wooden pieces like I did to hold the heads.

Because they can...why has Festool failed to fix the Kapex ills 8 years hence... because they can...why has Festool failed to correct the imperial demarcations on their tools while those tools only adjust in metric increments...because they can.

Personally I think they need to get their little German butts spanked...

@travis thanks, that actually makes total sense to me. For anyone outside the US with a set of components it would work better if all were non t-loc. Probably not enough volume of sales to have 2 different skus.

Anyway thanks for the clarification, I can rest easy that its the only option. @neilc I'll track down that thread, the accessories are probably next and I won't be keeping them in the systainer. In all honesty if I use this as much as I hope it may earn a permanent place on the bench in which case the systainer will end up on the heap with all the others.

I think you'll find with this tool it doesn't really matter as you'll end up finding a permanent home for it.

On my to-do list is a Vac-Sys mobile cart with preferably the ability to raise/lower the top platform and possibly mount the clamping module to a t track with the option for two clamping modules having the ability to slide along the t-track as needed. The adjustable height bit is the part I haven't worked out yet. I looked at metal scissor lift tables briefly. I like the idea of having something I can wheel around and lower to hold a tall cabinet carcass and rotate the part(s) as needed using the vac-sys but raise up when I'm doing something that would be better suited higher up.

I agree it is silly, but not a deal breaker. The new old style seem to unlatch easier than some of my other old style. I have a mix of everything so not a big deal. I do really like the Vac Sys, though...a great tool purchase!!

My current thought is I want to avoid screwing the clamp base to anything to make it easier to grab and position it anywhere then use vacuum to hold the base while in use. I was poised to drill out the worktop with a 20mm/96mm hole pattern (new Parf MkII arrived last week) until I saw how well this thing holds on plywood, now I'm questioning whether I want all those holes in the entire top.

I am thinking of a bracket hanging from the side of the cart to store the clamp in vertically, but instead of screwing the clamp to the bracket just trapping it against plywood it can suck onto in use. The clamp can sit in the bracket loosely until I need it, then I either move it to the top or just turn on the pump and either way vacuum would hold it while in use.

One thing I plan to do immediately is add a QD into each hose, 10 minutes of playing with it convinced me that the hoses will drive me nuts otherwise. Probably make up some extra hoses while I'm at it, QD @ each end like air hose.

I'll report back once I start making progress, but this really looks like a game-changer in my little shop.

RMW

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As of 10/17 I am out of the Dog business and pursuing other distractions. Thanks for a fun ride!

Hey Richard, this was my solution, it allows me to have holes in the work bench surface for clamping while still allowing me to place the VAC-SYS wherever I please.

An 18 ga stainless plate with 2 each 20mm aluminum dogs attached with stainless BHCS (button head cap screws). The stainless plate is flexible enough that when the vacuum is applied, it bends slightly which then wedges the aluminum dogs securely in the dog holes without damaging them.

This allows me to place the VAC-SYS parallel to the front of the bench or perpendicular to the front of the bench and anywhere within the field.

@Cheese Nice! I haven't looked at the clamp bottom, appears that there is clearance for the BHSCS underneath. I like this approach.

I'm probably destined to add the SE-2 to the fleet, doesn't seem to be a choice now.

Spent tonight finishing up install of French cleat cubbies for some cheap HF parts bins to empty out several cabinets worth of small hardware fasteners etc. and clear out some floor space. Part of the unending dance of cramming more stuff into the small space. I'm tettering on buying a HF tool cart to replace the last 2 cabinets now. Their metal rolling tool boxes are surprising high quality. Everything on wheels is the battle cry.

Next up is finishing the main workspace including this. I'll post some progress photos next week. Adding the mig and welding table created some challenges.

RMW

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As of 10/17 I am out of the Dog business and pursuing other distractions. Thanks for a fun ride!

Well Richard, that space thing affects us all. It’s a constant struggle. The older I become, the less room I have...and the less room I have, the older and crankier I become.

I’ve followed your French cleat program, I embrace it, applaud it and am going to implement it for some of my storage solutions...as soon as I can finish installing this blasted Honeywell dehumidifier into the HVAC system.

I would have that using the classic systainer would be a matter of robustness. I find the classics stronger. I put mine in a classic and I have the choice of both. the classics are more rigid, which could be a benefit in an application such as this, vibration, heavy load, no need for frequent and convenient access.

I would have that using the classic systainer would be a matter of robustness. I find the classics stronger. I put mine in a classic and I have the choice of both. the classics are more rigid, which could be a benefit in an application such as this, vibration, heavy load, no need for frequent and convenient access.

While the classic systainers might be stronger, my fingernails hate the connector latches with a passion that would be filtered by the forum should I try to express it.

@Cheese Nice! I haven't looked at the clamp bottom, appears that there is clearance for the BHSCS underneath. I like this approach.

I'm probably destined to add the SE-2 to the fleet, doesn't seem to be a choice now.

Spent tonight finishing up install of French cleat cubbies for some cheap HF parts bins to empty out several cabinets worth of small hardware fasteners etc. and clear out some floor space. Part of the unending dance of cramming more stuff into the small space. I'm tettering on buying a HF tool cart to replace the last 2 cabinets now. Their metal rolling tool boxes are surprising high quality. Everything on wheels is the battle cry.

Next up is finishing the main workspace including this. I'll post some progress photos next week. Adding the mig and welding table created some challenges.

RMW

I bought one. It is a pretty good value but I actually wish it was not 22” deep. To fully open a drawer you have to back pretty far away from the wall. I’m used to the very cheap light weight tool chests bought from K-Mart 30+ years ago that only pull out half as far (and are half as deep to start with). With just a wrist swing the cheap drawer opens enough to see tools at the back. To see the back of the drawer on the new cabinet takes a full arm swing. Or grab the pull and walk backwards.

Wow. Never occurred to me that using the vacuum to hold the clamp down has side benefits. My unreasoned assumption was the opposite, that it would somehow "use up" vacuum and negatively impact the actual clamping pressure. Darned physics stuff tripped me up again.

I added disconnects to both my vac units it make storing them more manageable. I bought 8mm push/pull fittings and tube from automationdirect.com. I originally started buying from them for the use with the two Virutex clamping heads that I bought a year before Festool decided to make theirs AINA...I hate "murphy" with an endless passion.I used 3/8" polycarbonate for my vac bases.

I added disconnects to both my vac units it make storing them more manageable. I bought 8mm push/pull fittings and tube from automationdirect.com. I originally started buying from them for the use with the two Virutex clamping heads that I bought a year before Festool decided to make theirs AINA...I hate "murphy" with an endless passion.I used 3/8" polycarbonate for my vac bases. (Attachment Link)

@rst did you replace the barb that's threaded into the clamping unit of just lop off the hose and connect to it? All the PTC fittings I've seen have imperial pipe threads.

RMW

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As of 10/17 I am out of the Dog business and pursuing other distractions. Thanks for a fun ride!